1. Anticipation Guide
Number from 1-8 in your journal and note Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree, or Strongly Disagree for each statement below. Then, write about your responses – why do you think so?
There is never a good reason to betray a friend
Power can change a person
Advice from family is more valuable than advice from friends
People are completely responsible for their own fate
Words can be powerful weapons
Personal morals and principles are more important than friendship
There is nothing wrong with being ambitious
In some situations, it is okay to lie to or deceive others

2. Julius Caesar
100 B.C.E. – 44 B.C.E.
I came. I saw. I conquered.

3. The Tragedy of Julius Caesar
Play written by William Shakespeare
First play performed in the Globe Theater in 1599
The English knew a lot about the Romans and were fascinated by Caesar’s life and death
Based on a true story, this play takes place in Ancient Rome (44 B.C.E.)
The English were conquered by Caesar and believed they were descendants of early Romans. Roman playwrights Seneca and Plautus were popular influences of Elizabethan drama. Shakespeare’s audience was also fascinated by Caesar’s life and death – a “dictator” becoming corrupt and ignoring the other branches of government, then being assassinated by his own friends) because in the 1400’s in England, the people experienced civil war and the result was the Tudor family (Queen Elizabeth’s family line) taking over.
Shakespeare’s main source for the play was Plutarch, a Greek philosopher who lived around C.E.

4. A Brief Look at Roman History
Rome was ruled by a “Triumvirate”
Pompey: a great politician and Caesar’s son-in-law
Caesar: the famous general
Crassus: the wealthiest man in Rome

5. A Brief Look at Roman History
54 B.C.E. – Caesar’s daughter Julia dies
53 B.C.E. – Crassus dies
52 B.C.E. – Senate supports Pompey, he becomes the soul consul
Caesar becomes a military hero and a champion of the people, planned on becoming consul
50 B.C.E. – Caesar writes the senate, saying he will give up his army if Pompey gives up his
49 B.C.E. – Caesar crosses into Italy, civil war has begun
Senate feared Caesar, wanted him to give up his army. This letter makes the senate angry, the demand Caesar disband his army at once or be declared an enemy of the people. Legally, Caesar was entitled to keep his army until his term was up. Two tribunes, Marc Antony and Quintus Cassius Longinus, faithful to Caesar, veto the bill and were expelled from the senate. They flee to Caesar, the men ask the army for support against the senate.

6. A Brief Look at Roman History
Caesar chases Pompey all the way to Egypt and defeats him
He gets a little sidetracked and hangs out with Cleopatra for a while…
When he returns to Rome, he is now the “tribune of the people” and “dictator for life”

7. Dramatis Personae – 1A
Act I Flavius Hailey Marullus Darien Carpenter Colby Cobbler Jeremy Julius Caesar Grady Casca Chance Calphurnia Perla Mark Antony Pablo Soothsayer Maria Marcus Brutus Jordan Cassius Riley
Portia Decius Brutus Cisero Cinna Lucius Metellus Cimber Trebonius Caius Ligarius Publius Artemidorus Popilius Lena Servant Cinna the poet Plebians 1-4

8. Dramatis Personae – 1B
Act I Flavius Ulises Marullus Marissa Carpenter Alex Cobbler Nate Julius Caesar Ron Casca Alyssa Calphurnia Yajaira Mark Antony Connor Soothsayer Jennifer Marcus Brutus Porter Cassius Nick
Portia Decius Brutus Cisero Cinna Lucius Metellus Cimber Trebonius Caius Ligarius Publius Artemidorus Popilius Lena Servant Cinna the poet Plebians 1-4 8

9. Dramatis Personae – 2B
Act I Flavius Sierra Marullus Michael Carpenter Daniel Cobbler Logan Julius Caesar Matthew R Casca Dakota Calphurnia Marquie Mark Antony Clayton Soothsayer Ashley Marcus Brutus Terry Cassius Sage
Portia Decius Brutus Cisero Cinna Lucius Metellus Cimber Trebonius Caius Ligarius Publius Artemidorus Popilius Lena Servant Cinna the poet Plebians 1-4 9

10. Dramatis Personae – 3B
Act I Flavius Christian Marullus Morgan Carpenter Kellie Cobbler JJ Julius Caesar Aurelio Casca Chante Calphurnia Taylor Mark Antony Jack Soothsayer Julia Marcus Brutus Paul Cassius Alfredo
Portia Decius Brutus Cisero Cinna Lucius Metellus Cimber Trebonius Caius Ligarius Publius Artemidorus Popilius Lena Servant Cinna the poet Plebians 1-4 10

11. Act I, Scene I WHO is in this scene? WHAT are they doing?
WHERE does the scene take place?
WHEN does the scene take place and why is it important?
WHY are the people celebrating?
HOW do Marullus and Flavius feel?